Magic mushrooms, also known as psilocybin mushrooms, have been used for centuries as a spiritual and therapeutic tool, but there is a growing concern about the potential risk of addiction associated with their use. While magic mushrooms are not physically addictive like drugs such as heroin or cocaine, they can still be psychologically addictive for some individuals. This is because the psychedelic experience induced by magic mushrooms can be highly pleasurable and profound, leading some people to seek out this experience repeatedly. The main psychoactive compound in magic mushrooms is psilocybin, which acts on the serotonin receptors in the brain. When consumed, psilocybin produces a variety of effects, including altered perception, euphoria, and increased empathy. These effects can be alluring to those seeking escape or looking to enhance their mood or creativity.
These effects can be alluring to those seeking escape or looking to enhance their mood or creativity. However, repeated and frequent use of magic mushrooms can lead to tolerance, meaning that higher doses are needed to achieve the same level of effects. This can increase the risk of psychological dependence and the desire to use magic mushrooms more frequently.
What are magic mushrooms and psilocybin?
Psilocybin is a hallucinogenic chemical in certain mushrooms known as magic mushrooms. Eating mushrooms that contain psilocybin can have a variety of effects, ranging from euphoria to hallucinations.
Individuals use psilocybin as a recreational drug. It can provide feelings of euphoria and sensory distortion that are common to hallucinogenic drugs, such as LSD.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Center for Psychedelic and Consciousness Research published a landmark study on the safety and positive effects of psilocybin in 2006. Researchers have also investigated whether it may be used to treat various medical conditions.
In October 2020, Oregon became the first state to legalize psilocybin. This allows for a 2-year period to consider regulatory and prescribing requirements.
Psilocybin is a Schedule I substance, meaning that the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) believes it has a high potential for abuse and serves no legitimate medical purpose.
Although medical bodies do not consider psilocybin addictive, users may experience disturbing hallucinations, anxiety, and panic after taking the drug.
Fast facts on psilocybin
- Psilocybin can have both positive and negative physical and psychological effects.
- Psilocybin is not naturally addictive.
- The drug can trigger psychotic episodes.
- Individuals with a family history of psychosis face an increased risk of an adverse psychiatric reaction to psilocybin.
Share on Pinterest Psilocybin is a natural hallucinogen. Getty Images
Psilocybin is a hallucinogen that people can ingest through certain types of mushrooms.
How it works
Psilocybin works by activating serotonin receptors, most often in the prefrontal cortex. This part of the brain affects mood, cognition, and perception. Hallucinogens also work in other regions of the brain that regulate arousal and panic responses.
Psilocybin does not always cause active visual or auditory hallucinations. Instead, it distorts how some people that use the drug perceive objects and people already in their environment.
The quantity of the drug a person consumes, their past experiences, and their expectations of how the experience will take shape can all impact the effects of psilocybin.
The hallucinogenic effects of psilocybin usually occur within 30 minutes after a person ingests it and last 4–6 hours. In some individuals, changes in sensory perception and thought patterns can last for several days.
The potency of a magic mushroom depends on:
- species
- origin
- growing conditions
- harvest period
- whether a person eats them fresh or dried
The amount of psilocybin in dried mushrooms is about 10 times higher than that found in their fresh counterparts.
Consumption
Mushrooms containing psilocybin are small and usually brown or tan. In the wild, people often mistake mushrooms containing psilocybin for any number of other mushrooms that are poisonous.
People usually consume psilocybin as a brewed tea or prepare it with a food item to mask its bitter taste. Manufacturers also crush dried mushrooms into a powder and prepare them in capsule form. Some people who consume these mushrooms cover them with chocolate.
Extent of use
The 2015 National Survey on Drug Use and Health suggested that 8.5% of people in the U.S. had used psilocybin at some point in their life.
The ritual use of psilocybin for mystical or spiritual purposes dates back to pre-Columbian Mesoamerican societies and continues to this day. Psilocybin is often used recreationally at dance clubs or by people seeking a transcendent spiritual experience.
In medical settings, doctors have tested psilocybin for treating cluster headaches, depression, end stage cancer anxiety, and other forms of anxiety.
Some scientists have questioned its effectiveness and safety as a therapeutic measure.
Street names for magic mushrooms
People may also refer to magic mushrooms as:
- shrooms
- boomers
- zoomers
- mushies
- simple Simon
- little smoke
- sacred mushrooms
- purple passion
- mushroom soup
- cubes
The effects of psilocybin are generally similar to those of LSD. They include altered perception of time and space and intense changes in mood and feeling.
Other possible effects of psilocybin include:
- euphoria
- peacefulness
- spiritual awakening
- derealization, or the feeling that surroundings are not real
- depersonalization, or a dream-like sense of being disengaged from surroundings
- distorted thinking
- visual alteration and distortion, such as seeing halos of light and vivid colors
- dilated pupils
- dizziness
- drowsiness and yawning
- impaired concentration
- muscle weakness
- lack of coordination
- unusual body sensations
- nausea and vomiting
- paranoia
- confusion
- frightening hallucinations
The effects of psilocybin vary between people, based on the user’s mental state, personality, and immediate environment.
If the user has a mental health condition or feels anxious about using the hallucinogen, they face a higher risk of having a bad experience.
Psychological distress is the adverse event most often reported after recreational use of psilocybin. This distress can take the form of extreme anxiety or short-term psychosis.
Psilocybin as a treatment for depression
Researchers have investigated whether psychological specialists can use psilocybin and similar hallucinogens as a treatment for depression.
One study examined the ability of psilocybin to reduce depression symptoms without dulling emotions. Results indicated that psilocybin may be successful in treating depression with psychological support.
The other study assessed the relationship between psilocybin-induced hallucinations and positive therapeutic outcomes.
Some people who take psilocybin may experience persistent, distressing alterations to the way they see the world. These often take the form of a visual flashback, which is a traumatic recall of an intensely upsetting experience. People can continue to experience flashbacks anywhere from weeks to years after using the hallucinogen. Physicians now diagnose this condition as hallucinogen-persisting perception disorder.
Some individuals who use psilocybin may also experience fear, agitation, confusion, delirium, psychosis, and syndromes that resemble schizophrenia, requiring a trip to the emergency room.
In most cases, a doctor will treat these effects with medication, such as benzodiazepines. Symptoms often resolve in 6–8 hours as the effects of the psilocybin wear off.
Finally, though the risk is small, some psilocybin users risk accidental poisoning from eating a poisonous mushroom by mistake. Symptoms of mushroom poisoning may include muscle spasms, confusion, and delirium. A person should visit an emergency room immediately if these symptoms occur.
Because hallucinogenic and other poisonous mushrooms are common in most living environments, people should regularly remove all mushrooms from areas where children are routinely present to prevent accidental consumption.
Most accidental mushroom ingestion results in minor gastrointestinal illness, with only the most severe instances requiring medical attention.
Psilocybin is not chemically addictive, and no physical symptoms occur after stopping use. However, after several days of psilocybin use, individuals might experience psychological withdrawal and have difficulty adjusting to reality.
Regular use can also cause an individual to become tolerant to the effects of psilocybin, and cross-tolerance occurs with other drugs, including LSD and mescaline. People who use these drugs must wait at least several days between doses to experience the full effect.
Q:
How likely is it that I will have a bad trip taking magic mushrooms?
A:
A “bad trip” can include feelings of despair, confusion, paranoia, anxiety, and panic. These feelings can persist for hours to days.
To avoid this, first, you will not have a bad trip or any trip at all if you choose not to ingest the mushrooms. If the mushrooms have a higher, stronger dose than expected, this can increase your chances of having a negative experience.
For someone going through a personal crisis or using mushrooms in an unsafe, unsupportive environment, the chances of a “bad trip” increase.
There are no guarantees with mushrooms since they are an unprocessed plant product, and bad trips can and do happen. If someone has ingested mushrooms and is experiencing panic, anxiety, or is in any danger of harming themselves or others, seek medical assistance immediately.
Debra Rose Wilson, Ph.D., MSN, RN, IBCLC, AHN-BC, CHT Answers represent the opinions of our medical experts. All content is strictly informational and should not be considered medical advice.
Hosted by therapist Amy Morin, LCSW, this episode of The Verywell Mind Podcast, featuring psychologist Brian Pilecki, shares the types of conditions psychedelics might treat, and the best resources to learn more information. Click below to listen now.
Additionally, the euphoria and sense of connection experienced during a psychedelic trip can be enticing, leading individuals to crave and seek out these experiences again. Furthermore, some people may use magic mushrooms as a way to self-medicate or cope with psychological distress or mental health issues. This can lead to a reliance on magic mushrooms as a means of escape or self-soothing, reinforcing the addiction cycle. It is important to note that not everyone who uses magic mushrooms will develop an addiction. There are many factors that contribute to whether or not someone becomes psychologically dependent on a substance, including genetics, environment, and individual susceptibility. However, the potential for addiction exists for some individuals. To minimize the risk of becoming addicted to magic mushrooms, it is crucial to approach their use with caution and respect. This includes setting intentions, creating a safe and supportive environment, and using them in moderation. Seeking professional guidance or participating in therapeutic settings can also help individuals navigate their psychedelic experiences in a responsible and beneficial manner. In conclusion, while magic mushrooms are not physically addictive, there is a potential risk of becoming psychologically dependent on them. The pleasurable and profound effects induced by psilocybin can lead some individuals to seek out these experiences repeatedly, increasing the risk of addiction. However, with responsible use and a cautious approach, the risk can be minimized..
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